THE first quarter is a critical period in contemporary music. It usually determines an artiste’s fortunes for the remainder of the year.

Singer Yung Jr finds himself in that position. He appears on Rebel Salute this Saturday and is preparing to release his debut EP, Start The Movement, on February 15.

Though he has appeared on major festivals in North America and Europe, Rebel Salute is the 20-year-old’s biggest home assignment to date. He is not intimidated.

“Wi been on Reggae In The Hills, Reggae In The Desert an’ Reggae By The Sea. Dads usually call wi out so wi can build wi craft,” he said. “It help wi fi interact with the people an’ build experience.”

‘Dads’ is his father, veteran singer Junior Reid, whose JR Productions produced Raggamuffin, Yung Jr’s first song, in 2013. The company also handled his follow-up single, General, which was released last year.

Start The Movement — which Yung Jr describes as a mix of dub, old school dancehall and lovers’ rock — has seven songs including the title song which is produced by Zinc Fence Productions, known for their work with Chronixx. Revolution and Rastafari Liveth, other tracks from the mini set, are produced by the JR camp.

Yung Jr is scheduled to do promotional shows in the United States, start

next week.

— Howard Campbell